Puri: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of the country on the occasion of Rath Yatra Friday and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone’s life.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is the “combination of faith and belief, which is based on devotion and culture”.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also offered best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of the Rath Yatra.
As part of the festival, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are set to begin their nine-day sojourn to their aunt’s place at Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
“On the occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the devotees of Lord Jagannath residing in India and abroad. By witnessing Lord Balabhadra, Lord Shri Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan on the chariot, millions of devotees experience divine bliss,” the President said on X.
She also said the “human-like divine play of the deities is the speciality of the Rath Yatra”.
“On this auspicious occasion, my prayer to the Lord is that peace, friendship, and harmony prevail throughout the world,” Murmu said.
PM Modi also offered greetings to the people on the occasion and posted a picture on social media in which he is seen standing in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
“On the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra, my heartfelt best wishes to all fellow countrymen. May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone’s life. Jai Jagannath!” Modi said in another post in Hindi.
Shah said, “Jai Sri Jagannath…Hearty greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Shri Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. Shree Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is the combination of faith and belief, which is based on devotion, culture. It guides us to move forward by preserving the culture and tradition together and moving it forward.”
He wished everyone’s welfare and prayed to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra for the progress and welfare of all.
The Odisha governor, the chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Naveen Patnaik, and others also greeted the people on the occasion.
